Chocolate S'mores
Steppin' up Your Vocab
How you do Use Those Words You Choose?
No matter what content you teach, vocabulary acquisition is a must. Various studies have intimated that the size of one's vocabulary is a key predictor in college acceptance and career readiness. VOCABULARY IS A BIG DEAL.
There are HUNDREDS of tools that you can use to help your students acquire, manipulate, and apply vocabulary. I'd start with this one. Here are some digital tools for your troubles.
Identifying Vocab
Allow students to access reading passages or glean vocabulary words from the passages is a big deal. There are various web tools that will help you adapt text for students to access, highlight vocabulary words, and offer synonyms.
Wordsmyth
Wordsmyth is a differentiated dictionary/thesaurus. It's a great resource. Also offers a widget that will define words on any website that you visit.
Word Central
Merriam Webster's Word Central allows students to practice vocabulary in a several fun ways! Comes with suggestions for educators.
Dr. Goodword's Word Wizard's Club
Alpha Dictionary offers Dr. Goodword's Word Wizard's Club. It doesn't allow you to input your own vocabulary, but a solid site nonetheless.
Rewordify
Rewordify will allow you to simplify challenging text. This can be a great tool for differentiating your instruction in your classroom so that every student has access to content.
Professor Word
Professor Word allows you to identify SAT vocabulary words as you travel the web. Reading ESPN? Professor Word will find all the SAT vocab in the article. The same is true for any webquest or internet activity you have your kids do.
VocabGrabber
VocabGrabber allows you to examine a document's vocabulary relevance to each of your content areas. It will give you a list of the words as well. Unfortunately, unless you are a subscriber to Visual Thesaurus, you can export the list. That's why we have cut and paste!
Playing with Words!
Playing with words will allow students to practice with them. Plus, playing is fun. Here are some sites that'll let you play, but remember there are hundreds of sites that do similar things.
Madlibs
It's a Madlib World is not the official site of Madlibs, but it should be. Your students can apply their wacky ideas about grammar in a variety of ways on the site. If you want to show love to the ORIGINAL Madlibs, you can download their free app on your mobile device.
Quizlet
Quizlet is a great tool for students to learn vocabulary. It allows you to input your own words and turns them into flashcards and games for you.
Kahrds
Kahrds will allow you to make crosswords puzzles and other games with your vocabulary words.
Memrise
Memrise is a great tool to use. Though it's purpose is to help you acquire a new language, you can bend it to your own purposes by creating your own course.
Studyblue
Studyblue. Flashcards. Vocabulary. Activities. 'Nuff said.
Flashcard Machine
Flashcard Machine does the standard flashcard type stuff, but will send you study reminders as well.
Working Together with Vocabulary
AnswerGarden
AnswerGarden allows you to create questions, topics, or concepts that each student can respond to. No need for logging in! Just give them the URL and rock and roll.
Padlet
Padlet- Students can contribute to a "Vocabulary Wall" giving definitions and adding visuals. No need to log in again. URL is the key.
Koowall
Koowall allows multiple people to "jam" on a specific topic, idea, or experience. Heavy on the visuals which is the great thing for every learner, especially our ELL friends.
Murally
Murally gives you the opportunity to visual vocabulary. Drop Youtube videos, images, and documents that can each be manipulate by a group. Free account allows 50 contributors.
Conceptboard
Conceptboard allows you the same usability as Murally. Heavy on the visuals.
GoVisually
Murally, Conceptboard...this is the Remix.
Applying Vocabulary
We can identify and play with vocabulary words, but if we don't apply them, students won't OWN them. These three sites will allow you to create stories quickly using the desired vocabulary.
StoryJumper
StoryJumper allows you to create stories for hardcover books can even be printed if you desire.
Zooburst
Zooburst allows you to create stories in 3D! As long as your computer has a webcam, you virtually manipulate your story after you publish. Very Cool iPad app as well.
Storybird
Storybird is a great choice. Illustrations are provided and it's simple to use.
The Chocolate Teacher!
Email: chocolateteacher@chocolateteacher.com
Website: www.chocolateteacher.net
Phone: (702) 518-5492
Twitter: @chclteteacher